5 Things
Five Checkpoints for a Healthy Heart
By Sarah Williams
The other day I received a text from my doctor’s office. “It’s time to schedule your annual wellness check,” it read. I thought to myself, “I have a million things to do, and that’s not even close to what I want to work into my schedule right now.” Our routine rhythms of screening and testing for wellness may not be our favorite things on the agenda, but they can be critical in detecting early markers of problems that are much easier to resolve early rather than in advanced stages.
This goes beyond physical health; it also applies to our spiritual health. In the same way we commit to caring for our bodies, we also need to be aware of the state of our souls. Regular check-ins with the greatest physician, Doctor Jesus, will help us with the issues of the heart, restoring the places that have been broken and bringing cold and stony parts back to life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Did you catch that? Your heart determines the course of your life! In other words, everything we do can be traced to what is going on in our hearts.
What does it mean to guard your heart? The word guard in the original language means “to watch, to preserve, to look at and examine, and to guard from dangers.” When was the last time that you examined your heart? Are you aware of any dangers that are trying to invade? Following are five checkpoints that will aid you in assessing your heart health. As you read them, invite Jesus to help you evaluate. He knows your heart better than you do and is eager to lead you to wholeness. Pray this as you go through these points:
Jesus, I invite you to help me examine my heart today. You said that you came to the earth to lead us to abundant life, and I trust you in this moment to help me see anything that is hindering me from walking in that promised fullness of life. I choose to open my heart to you and allow you to speak into my heart what I need to see and know.
- What do I need to repent of?
Repentance is not just being sorry for something; it is a change of thinking that results in a change of behavior. God wants to invade your mind with His kindness in order to transform you! His love burns for you to encounter His truth so you can see your life and destiny as He does.
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2, NLT).
“God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]” (Romans 2:4, AMP).
You can pray this prayer that King David prayed and then quiet your heart to listen to what God wants to show you.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
God, what do I need to repent of?
- Whom do I need to forgive?
Forgiveness is vital for walking in freedom and wholeness. It is impossible to receive all that God has for you if you have an unwillingness to release those who have hurt you. Sometimes unforgiveness is stuffed and buried so deeply that we don’t realize it is there. It is important to give God the opportunity to scan our hearts to reveal any of these hidden areas that we might not have dealt with. When we receive His help to remove offense, it creates room for Him to come in and minister to those places, resulting in greater wholeness.
- When preparing to walk in forgiveness, it is important to remember that forgiveness is a CHOICE, not an emotion or feeling. It does not mean that the person who hurt you is “off the hook” or not accountable for their actions. But it means that you give up your right to be the judge. Instead, it allows you to extend grace as you hand the person to God and let Him be the judge. As a result, you are relieved of the burden of hurt you have been carrying and are freed from a prison of torment. It closes a door which the enemy was using to have access to you and opens you up to God’s grace and forgiveness.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV).
God, whom do I need to forgive?
- What do I need to release myself from?
Often the most difficult person people find to forgive is themselves. If you have repented, then God has forgiven you. Not only has He forgiven you of your sins, but He has forgotten them!
“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again” (Isaiah 43:25, NLT).
While God has long forgotten your offenses, you may not find it as easy to stop thinking about them. This is because the devil is working to bring guilt, regret, shame, and condemnation. In order to forgive yourself, it is so important to ask God to help you figure out what is going on deep in your heart. Too often people don’t realize that it is the devil trying to keep them stuck in past regret. God wants you freed from the past so you can move forward with Him into His promises for your future.
God, what do I need to release myself from?
- What lies am I believing?
Perhaps you have heard the acronym for FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real. Lies are the devil’s language, and he directs them straight to our hearts in the form of fear. If you are experiencing fear, then you are likely listening to his lies. Guarding your heart means watching for what intruders are trying to pass over into your heart. If a lie has made itself at home in your life, it must be kicked out! To have a healthy heart, you must reject the enemy’s lies. You need to be aware of them and call them out!
“When he [Satan] lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, NIV).
God, what lies am I believing?
- What is the truth?
Jesus said that we would know the truth and it would set us free (John 8:32). Once you have identified the lies, you must exchange them for the truth!
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Knowing God’s Word is the most powerful weapon against the lies of the enemy.
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, AMP).
In order to walk with a healthy heart, you must allow the power of God’s Word to fall afresh upon your heart. If you allow the Holy Spirit to quicken God’s Word to you, He will pave the way for a personal encounter with the truth, which will further dismantle the effect of the lies that have been in operation. Know God’s Word, listen for His voice, and let it revive your heart.
God, what is the truth?
If you have navigated these checkpoints with God, you are on your way to greater wholeness. But don’t let it stop there! God wants to walk with you daily to guide you toward the best He has for you. The more often you allow Him to walk through the chambers of your heart with you, the healthier and stronger you will be spiritually to walk out your destiny.
And here’s a bonus question you can ask Him:
God, what do you think of me?
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (Psalm 139:17, NLT).
Once we have kicked out all the junk that doesn’t belong in our hearts, filling up with what God thinks about us provides us energy to thrive. While the enemy throws garbage at us, God whispers sweetness that changes us from the inside out. Taste and see that He is good.
About the Author
Sarah and her husband, George, have been in ministry together for over fifteen years. They began their journey as urban missionaries, which led to planting and co-pastoring CityLight Church for nine years. In 2016, Sarah founded the Transformation Center, which offers personal prayer ministry to help people receive heart healing and freedom. In addition to providing individual sessions, Sarah and her team also work with other churches offering seminars, training, and coaching in healing and deliverance. Sarah highly values her ministry to her family and to the Lord. Her delight is in raising her two daughters and being a friend of God.
Don’t you just hate it when you start a project and don’t have the right tools? I do. I love a good DIY project, but I almost always have to go buy a tool to get the job done. DIY projects feel very similar to parenting. You see a picture of something, think, “How hard could it be? Those people look happy with that baby – we’ve got this.” Then the teenage years hit, and it’s “Pinterest Fails” in real time: nothing looks like the picture, and you don’t have the right tools to do the job. Having the right tools can make all the difference, both in a DIY project and in parenting your teens.
Let’s be honest: parenting in 2025 is not for the faint of heart, and parenting teenagers during this time is something only crazy people do. Parenting with purpose and intentionality in the midst of smart phones, social media, unlimited access to information, and hormones kind of seems like a recipe for disaster. If you feel like your toolbox is missing some tools, let me share some that I use on a regular basis.
Five tools that are currently in my toolbox:
1. Healthy Boundaries.
If you don’t have them, now is the time to create them. You’re going to want to go ahead and set boundaries for the whole family: parents, kids, and every stinkin’ electronic device you own. You need a plan on how you are going to manage and honor these boundaries. Boundaries create margin, and margin is key to survival. Take some time and decide what you would like this to look like, plan it out, and stick to it.
2. A Healthy Relationship with Therapy.
I think a lot of times, we as Christians struggle with shame when our prayers don’t result in erasing all our mental and emotional pain (or that of our kids’). What if God’s answer to some of those prayers comes in the form of a great Christian therapist? Just like Esther, you and I were born for such a time as this, and in this time, we can access incredible resources found in a solid Christian therapist. It might not seem like a great idea and your kids might not like it at first, but have a conversation and strike up a deal. I was not above bartering with my teens, not when their mental health was on the line. This tool might not be for everyone, but give it some thought and maybe stick it in your toolbox for emergencies only.
3. Keeping the Conversation Going.
We all spend hours in the car, right? Take that drive time to ask your teen questions, simply listening without trying to fix anything (this is the hardest part). The goal is to create a space that allows your teen to feel heard, a space that lets them process their “BIG FEELINGS.” Be encouraged: this tool has a quick turnaround, similar to the timetable of teenage feelings. Hang in there, we will make it!
4. Good Coping Skills.
Drinking Starbucks and shopping at Target, though very enjoyable, are not healthy coping skills. We all have coping mechanisms and your teenagers will too, but we can help them develop healthy ways of dealing with their emotions. Take a walk, ride a bike, go fishing, journal, paint, listen to music, chop some wood (Anger is a real emotion and if you need firewood, it’s a BOGO!). The key is to help your child discover healthy ways of dealing with their “BIG FEELINGS”; they cannot be ignored, they must be processed, and one way or another they will be.
5. Proper Navigation of God’s Word.
I am hopeful that the seeds planted in the lives of my kids will bear much fruit and be a testimony of how good God is.
Does your child know how to read God’s word in a beneficial way? Have you spent time with your teen, teaching them the benefits of a quality quiet time? Don’t just ask your teen, “Do you know who you are in Jesus?” They might not understand how to answer that; my kids didn’t the first time I asked them. Get them a good study Bible, grab that cool journal, and yes, buy the fun pens. We want to encourage this time in the Word. This must be a priority in their life so that when they encounter all of those “BIG FEELINGS,” they can lay those down next to the Word of God, discover who God is, and in turn understand who they are in Him.
Take heart, we will make it through this. It’s just a season, right? I don’t know all the answers, but I am hopeful that the seeds planted in the lives of my kids will bear much fruit and be a testimony of how good God is and how much He really loves us! Now, go fill your toolbox with some good tools!
About the Author
Candi Hagan
Candi Hagan is a pastor and art teacher living in sunny Florida with her husband, Nathan, and their three teenagers (though they’re on the brink of their empty-nester adventure). Together, she and Nathan serve as the Regional Directors for the Southeast Region of Open Bible Churches. Candi is always working to be the best version of herself and is so thankful for the restoration found in Jesus. When she’s not teaching or ministering, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen whipping up something delicious, in the garden tending to her plants, or painting.
Open Bible has a rich heritage of women ministry leaders. Our denomination was birthed in revival and formed by the union of two movements that branched off from other denominations founded and led by women (Florence Crawford and Aimee Semple McPherson). Open Bible’s position on women in ministry leadership celebrates women leaders at all levels. However, even with this rich history and current blessing for women in ministry leadership, it is still rare to find women in certain ministry positions within our churches. There are multiple reasons for this, but here are five actions to consider when addressing this issue.
1. Look at your own biases.
Most often, women aren’t chosen for senior leadership roles because “it hasn’t been done before.” Tradition can be a powerful force, but sometimes it keeps important change from happening. Ask yourself how you would feel if a woman were chosen as the senior pastor of your church. Chances are it might feel awkward. Awkward doesn’t always mean it’s wrong. It usually means it’s just different. This awkwardness is often temporary, and the willingness to lean into it can create new opportunities for women to lead. When a ministry leadership position opens, allow yourself to consider both women and men as candidates for the position.
2. Study what Scripture says about women leaders.
The Old and New Testaments are full of women who played important leadership roles at all levels. Look at the influence and level of authority they were given. Study the “problem passages” (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12) in Scripture that appear to limit women teaching and speaking. Some reputable scholars and commentaries show how these passages were meant to address specific problems that the early church dealt with rather than become an overall rule limiting women in leadership. If you are a church leader, clearly communicate your church’s position on women in ministry leadership. Too often, this topic is ignored, keeping the status quo going.
3. Champion women leaders.
Encourage women, young and old, who have the gift to lead. Mentor them. Hire them. It is a blessing when a woman unselfishly cheers on another woman in her leadership; too often, there’s a temptation to be jealous or deliver harsh criticism, which leads to hesitance in stepping into leadership. It’s especially impactful when a male leader encourages and makes room for a woman to lead. Giving the same opportunities to women that would be given to men who are learning to lead is so important. Too often it is rare to have a young woman given time on stage or other public responsibilities while such opportunities are given to the men who are being trained. Try to be equal where you can. Make room for inexperience and give repeated opportunities to learn and grow.
4. Preach about strong women leaders in the Bible.
Scripture is filled with women leaders such as Miriam, Hannah, Esther, Deborah, Mary, and Priscilla. Highlighting their lives shows how God’s leadership gifts are given to both men and women. This encourages women leaders and gives them biblical role models.
5. Nurture a culture of leadership sharing.
Many times, the church hears from one pastor’s voice most of the time. Regularly sharing the pulpit creates space where leaders in training can experience public ministry. Allowing both men and women to preach helps your congregation become accustomed to both male and female leadership, creating a bench of players who can be trained to assist at all levels of church leadership. This keeps the church from idolizing or draining one leader and allows more people’s gifts to be shared.
The Church, the Bride of Christ, functions more fully when men and women work side by side in leadership. When women’s voices and leadership gifts are ignored or limited, half of the Church’s voice is muted. However, when men and women unselfishly share leadership and influence, God’s kingdom moves forward powerfully. This unselfish sharing of leadership reflects God’s nature more fully, creating a space where the Holy Spirit can come and powerfully move.
Additional resources:
- Open Bible Manual – Official Statements 7.6: The Role of Women in Ministry and Leadership (p. 89)
- Open Bible Webinar: Women in Ministry Leadership: Answering God’s Call
- Book to help with biblical theology of women in ministry leadership: God’s Women Then and Now by Deborah M. Gill and Barbara Cavaness.
About the Author
Julie Cole
Julie Cole is the Associate Director of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at The King’s University in Southlake, TX. She’s a licensed marriage and family therapist, spiritual director, and an ordained minister. Julie desires to inspire people to hear God’s voice and to see His hand in both the big and small experiences of life. Julie and her husband, David, live in Fort Worth, Texas, and have four children and eight grandchildren with two more on the way in 2025.
Years ago, I took the StrengthsFinder Assessment, which is designed to help a person understand their top gifts. “Achiever” fell at the top of my list, and I found myself feeling uncomfortable with this result. I wrestled with my uneasiness, unsure why I felt this way until God began to unlock my understanding. From the time I was young, I had built my life to be full to the brim, accumulating a long resume of accomplishments, none of which brought me satisfaction. Instead, God placed a hunger inside of me to be marked by the supernatural. One definition of supernatural is “above, beyond, and far higher and greater than the natural.” I longed to see things that exceeded what I could do through my own achievements and to witness the power of God in my daily life.
God placed a hunger inside of me to be marked by the supernatural.
Since that time, God has taught me to forsake striving and performance, instead discovering His will and wisdom by walking in friendship with Him. Even more than before, my heart yearns to experience ministry moments that inspire awe of our magnificent God. Our team had the honor of experiencing some of these moments during our summer of outreach at Asbury Park. As I share our story, I’ll also share the five lessons we learned through reaching our neighborhood.
1. We can partner with God to see His desires fulfilled.
We were gathered for our regular weekly prayer meeting when God said, “I want this neighborhood. Will you make My name great at Asbury Park?” We felt the weight of this invitation. For a year, we had been hosting neighbors in the basement of our ministry house for weekly dinners. Dozens had found community and a sense of belonging in that space. Some had already met Jesus, but He wanted us to cast the net further. No one on our team had imagined taking our Thursday night dinners out to the park for the summer. But God had heard our cry: “God, you get to do whatever is in your heart to do. We pray your will be done in this region and that Jesus would be glorified.” And that day, He gave us another piece of His blueprint for our region.
2. We don’t have to strive.
Naturally, we looked at the invitation from God and imagined possibilities of how to gather the community at our neighborhood park. We considered the successes of past events that utilized raffle and prize incentives or entertainment such as bounce houses. We went back to prayer and God revealed more of His plan to us. He wanted it simple. As we prayed, He gave us visions of the stations in the park: crafts themed to tell the story of creation, food to fill bellies, a field with kids carefree and playing, bold worship, and a baptismal. He said to get ready for people to be saved and baptized!
May we all live in daily expectation of the things that are beyond what we could do in our own ability, partnering with God and watching His fame spread across the earth.
3. God has a storehouse of provision.
Although God’s plan was relatively simple, we did not have the finances or workers to pull off this vision of taking dinners to the park every other week throughout the summer. God impressed upon us that He would be faithful to provide everything we needed to serve the community in this way. We chose to embrace His plan with faith that He would make a way.
4. God loves collaboration.
God brilliantly inspired us to reach out to many individuals and groups, inviting them to partner with us in reaching the Five Points Neighborhood in Toledo. Over a dozen churches were represented by the participants who filled volunteer slots and donated food and supplies. The greater Body of Christ truly came together, unified around Jesus and His mission.
5. Love + Power + Gospel = Jesus gets His reward
When our dinners first launched at the ministry base in 2023, God gave us a foundational verse to build upon:
“Walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance” (Ephesians 5:2 AMP).
God desired for this aroma to rise to Heaven, the smell of a people walking in sacrificial love. And so, His people took that love to the park. We shared the good news that Jesus gave His life so that all could be saved, healed, and delivered. Many accepted the invitation to receive this gift from Jesus, giving their lives to Him. People experienced healing in their bodies and freedom from bondage. Many encountered the power of the Holy Spirit in a personal way. Twenty-four people chose to follow Jesus through water baptism!
God rained down this summer on Asbury Park. It was His plan, His provision, His glory. It was Jesus’ reward. May we all live in daily expectation of the things that are beyond what we could do in our own ability, partnering with God and watching His fame spread across the earth.
About the Author
Sarah Williams
Sarah Williams and her husband, George, have been in ministry together since they were married in 2006. They began their journey as urban missionaries, which led to planting and co-pastoring CityLight Church. In 2016, Sarah founded the Transformation Center, where she and her team have helped hundreds of people find wholeness and freedom. Sarah’s passion is for Jesus to receive His reward through salvation, healing, and deliverance. The team at the Transformation Center welcomes ministers to book a stay to receive personal ministry or to visit and partner with them in reaching their community.
